By Val Rhead
You have opened One Spade. Partner responds Two Hearts. A bid by partner of a new suit at the two level shows an unlimited hand of a minimum 10 points with at least a five-card suit. Unless he has passed previously, his bid is forcing for one round.
What is your second bid in this situation? Your responsibility is to make a bid that limits your hand! If your opener was a minimum (12 to 14 points), you have a choice of three bids as follows. If your Spades are a six-card suit, re-bid your suit – Two Spades. If you have three Hearts, support your partner’s Heart suit by bidding Three Hearts. If you can’t make either of these bids, bid Two No Trump. None of these bids is forcing. You have limited your hand to show your minimum opening of 12 to 14 points. Partner is now the Captain. Only if he has opening points himself should he take the partnership game. Partner may consider slam investigation if he has a monster hand, even knowing your hand is a minimum.
If you have a medium hand (15 to 17 points), you know your partnership has a probable game. So your second bid MUST be for game. With a known Heart or Spade fit, you just take the contract to four. Without a Heart or Spade fit, bid Three No Trump for your game. Knowing that the partnership has at least a game, partner is free, with a big hand, to continue further.
With a maximum opening hand (18 to 21 points) you MUST make a forcing bid yourself on your second bid. Only a jump shift will force, eg Three Clubs. With this forcing bid, partner knows you have 18 to 21 points. Partner is the Captain. Partner MUST take the partnership to game. But if partner also has a good hand, he may consider slam bidding knowing that you have a maximum hand.
Congratulations! Opener has used her second bid to limit her hand.
SUMMER PORT CARLING DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Port Carling Club are in the summer only, Wednesday evening 6:30, Port Carling Community Centre, 3 Bailey Street. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before game time. Call Bill & Gaye Kastning at 705-765-6354 for information and partnerships.
The following winners are from Wednesday, Aug 16, 2017 with 16 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Sandy Retter and David Scarlett; 2. Betty Rintoul and Hazel Bowes; 3. Linda Armstrong and Martha Stigler; 4. Jean Sinclair and John Sinclair; East-West 1. Bev Howard and Liz Barnes; 2. Beth Henderson and Tom Dyke; 3. Wendy McLaughlin and Joan Gass; 4/5. Phillis Robinson and Sheila Robinson; 4/5. Nora Robinson and Billie Anne Robinson
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games at the Huntsville Club are Tuesday 7:15 start, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Jan Roberts 705 635-2522 or email [email protected]
The following winners are for Tuesday, Aug 22 with 14 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 2. Bev Parlett and Vern Foell; 3. Bruce Elliott and Rod Dixon; 4. Virginia Warren and Angus Warren; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and Bev Howard; 2. Fay MacDonald and Helen Pearson; 3. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 4. Mary Norman and Don Norman
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected].
The following winners are from Monday, Aug 21 with 21 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 2. Yvonne Cox and Helen Pearson; 3. Pat Davies and Sue Scott; 4. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 5. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 6. Gerry Flaherty and Ross Simms; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Jinty Stewart and Jane Insley; 3. Art Insley and Don Evans; 4. Gaye Kastning and Bill Kastning; 5. Hazel Bowes and Kelly Andresen; 6. Anne Hampton and Bill Hampton
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